Director of Land Development

Job Description:

The Director of Land Acquisition and Development is responsible for all aspects of strategic land planning, land and lot acquisition, direct community design, manage the entitlement process and development operations. The director is a goal-driven, humble leader focused on coaching, mentoring and training team members for success in accomplishing stated goals. The director promotes the Summit culture and ensures profitability and a best-in-class customer and team member experience using the company’s mission, vision and core values as a benchmark for leadership.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior leadership, and development team to establish department goals and objectives together with strategic plans for achieving same on a period basis.
• Evaluate all land and lot acquisitions and present land and lot strategy to executive leadership.
• Lead and facilitate the Land Development Process including investigations, acquisition, entitlements, and delivery of fully developed lots.
• Responsible for the overall direction success of the development activities.
• Plan and build communities in an integrated manner with a customer first approach
• Create and maintain land availability inventory system for Summit in accordance with the corporate strategic plan
• Maintain a network of industry, political contacts to maintain a current awareness of available and upcoming acquisition opportunities
• Coordinate market research in support of land acquisition
• Conduct timely feasibility studies to assess physical, political and financial aspects of land opportunities
• Analyze market potential and targeted market areas in order to identify specific target properties.
• Establish and maintain continuous projections from feasibility proforma to budget
• Accountable for representing Summit in negotiating each project’s acquisition
• In cooperation with Finance & Accounting, prepare and submit annual department budget and quarterly updates.
• Accurately estimate cash flow projections compared to the strategic plan
• Accountable for statutory approvals, land plan designs, developmental agreements and servicing contracts
• Ensure community phases are delivered on time and on or below budget
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state and local laws as it pertains to the operation of the department activities.
• Develop, monitor and adhere to Summit’s land development schedule and budget for each project and provide regular updates to the Division President
• Provide leadership to the Summit Development team including overall people management, talent identification and recruiting, and team member development
• Develop and promote teamwork and internal integration
• Review and make recommendations regarding external events that could affect the value of real estate assets
• Develop and nurture relationships with politicians, governmental staff, land vendors and contact/ties within Summit’s geography
• Ability to communicate the Summit Homes way of differentiating our business processes from those of our competitors
• Proactively promote innovative, non-traditional land uses (new acquisitions and existing inventory) to the Summit team
• Vertical and horizontal research, value engineering and construction management
• Provide oversight to ensure architectural controls and zoning
• Participate on and provide oversight and management of HOA’s for Summit communities in collaboration with HOA Management firms.
• Contribute to building and maintaining a “Customer for Life” culture with a focus on an everlasting relationship built on trust, value, fairness and the value of our communities, products and services by going the extra mile and providing clear timely communications.
• Manage and direct the department towards its primary objectives with profitability and a commitment to our core values top of mind.
• Engage in regular accountability sessions and periodically evaluate performance of managers and direct reports and collaborate with same to ensure the team is moving in a positive direction towards achieving goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain succession plans with an emphasis on “building the bench” focused on leadership and team development.
• Engage and participate in monthly team lunches focused on building our culture, informing all team members about goals and objectives and progress, celebrating team and individual wins, recognizing significant events, and team building.
• Engage and participate in quarterly 12-week planning sessions and an annual Vision Meeting to set goals, objectives, strategies and tactics for each quarter and year with a three and five-year game plan as well.
• Meet with customers as required to ensure complete satisfaction.
• Meet with and present to local officials, community groups, neighborhood associations, and other members of the public from time to time and become involved with community centric organizations with a focus on building Summit’s brand and identity in the market.
• Communicate to Summit’s executive leadership periodically with relevant business information and deliver all required reports in a timely manner.
• Pursue continuous improvement of processes and systems focused on the overall goals of the department and overall organization.
• Mitigate risk for the organization by installing effective policies and procedures in the Division.
• Perform related project assignments.

Qualifications:

The Director of Land & Development must be competent in each of the job requirements and successful execute same. The Director must be a strong, proven leader and practice servant leadership using Summit’s core values as a playbook for every decision. To perform this role successfully, the Director must possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or ten years of progressively more responsible experience in a new home building & development environment and/or any combination thereof.
• Experience in homebuilding & land development in a comprehensive leadership role encompassing land acquisition, entitlements, and development with a strong management and leadership background, including a successful record of establishing and meeting goals.
• Must demonstrate the ability to build credibility and communicate effectively with all areas of the organization.
• Must have the ability to promote unity and teamwork and be able to build relationships.
• Possess a strong drive for results, be highly motivated, energetic and have excellent leadership skills.
• A customer-focused mindset with experience communicating patiently and professionally with customers and internal team members both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents including development plats, building plans, financial statements, spreadsheets, and productivity reports.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations to company management and public groups.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions after separating relevant and irrelevant information and evaluating alternatives. Ability to “think on one’s feet.”
• Position requires both field and office work including occasional evenings or weekends.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Kansas City, MO 64131 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kansas City, MO 64131: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person